DAM and Museums 2026
Selecting the Right DAM for Your Cultural Heritage Organization
Choosing the right Digital Asset Management (DAM) system can be daunting for museums, libraries, archives, and other cultural heritage institutions. Your collections are unique, your metadata models are complex, and your preservation and access needs often differ sharply from those of commercial enterprises. Yet you still face the same core challenge: how to select a system that balances sustainability, usability, governance, and long-term value.
In this practical, vendor-independent session, Real Story Group’s Jarrod Gingras draws on two decades of independent technology evaluation experience to guide you through a proven, structured approach to selecting the right DAM for your organization’s mission. You’ll learn how to:
- Clarify and prioritize your institution’s distinctive DAM use cases
- Understand similarities and differences between enterprise and cultural heritage DAM solutions
- Avoid common pitfalls in RFPs and vendor demos
- Evaluate vendors objectively — beyond glossy marketing promises
Whether you’re replacing an aging repository or launching your first enterprise DAM, this session will equip you with the tools and frameworks to make an informed, confident choice.
What others say
HS DAM events provide me with the opportunity to connect with heritage institutions outside of United Kingdom, be aware of the challenges they face and the projects seeking solutions to those challenges.
HS DAM events are well worth the price of admission--they're a great showcase for real-life case studies and projects. I always learn something valuable and connect with someone brilliant when I attend!
A great way to stay informed about the latest issues and strategies, and meet people who are willing to share their experiences.